DETERMINED animal rights campaigners dressed up as rabbits, rats and mice outside Wickham Laboratories to stage a protest at animal testing.

About a dozen demonstrators blocked the entrance to the controversial laboratories in Winchester Road on Saturday to mark World Week for Laboratory Animals.

Dressed in white laboratory suits, protective masks and animal costumes, they waved banners proclaiming their disgust at the suffering they claim goes on in labs.

Animal Aid activist Helen Nelson said the protest had a double purpose this year following an appeal by Wickham Laboratories to move to a site in Scivier's Lane, Upham.

"The idea of the laboratories moving to Upham is totally unacceptable to us. We are waiting for the planning inspector's decision but it could take as long as six months.

"In the meantime we want to highlight what is going on behind the gates.

"We got a lot of support from passing motorists beeping their horns.

"The point of our protest was to show that vivisection not only harms animals but also puts humans at risk too."

Campaigners from groups in Southampton, Winchester and Portsmouth joined together to form the action group - Stop Wickham Animal Testing.

They plan to hold more demonstrations in the future.

Planners at Winchester City Council refused Wickham Laboratories planning permission last year, stating that its proposed move broke countryside planning guidelines.

They said it was not the council's policy to allow more buildings to be built in the countryside.

Residents living in the village also raised objections, saying it would lead to more traffic travelling through Upham.

Wickham Laboratories has appealed against the decision and a planning inquiry was held earlier this year.

No one from Wickham Laboratories was available for comment.